Abstract: Techniques are provided herein to form semiconductor devices that have their semiconductor subfins removed and replaced with one or more dielectric materials. A semiconductor device includes a gate structure around or otherwise on a semiconductor region. A lower end of the semiconductor material includes a subfin adjacent to a dielectric layer that acts as shallow trench isolation (STI) between semiconductor devices. A backside process may be performed to remove the bulk substrate and expose a bottom surface of the subfin. The subfin may then be removed from the backside to form backside recesses. A dielectric liner may be formed within the backside recesses and a dielectric fill may be formed within a remaining volume of the backside recesses. Replacing the subfins with dielectric materials may lower parasitic capacitance between the subfins and the gate electrodes as well as reduce parasitic current between adjacent source or drain regions.

Abstract: Techniques are provided herein to form semiconductor devices that have their semiconductor subfins removed and replaced with one or more dielectric materials. A semiconductor device includes a gate structure around or otherwise on a semiconductor region. A lower end of the semiconductor material includes a subfin adjacent to a dielectric layer that acts as shallow trench isolation (STI) between semiconductor devices. A backside process may be performed to remove the bulk substrate and expose a bottom surface of the subfin. The subfin may then be removed from the backside to form backside recesses. A dielectric liner may be formed within the backside recesses and a dielectric fill may be formed within a remaining volume of the backside recesses. Replacing the subfins with dielectric materials may lower parasitic capacitance between the subfins and the gate electrodes as well as reduce parasitic current between adjacent source or drain regions.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes laterally adjacent first and second devices. The first device includes (i) first source and drain regions, (ii) a first body including semiconductor material laterally extending between the first source and drain regions, (iii) a first sub-fin below the first body, and (iv) a first gate structure on the first body. The second device includes (i) second source and drain regions, (ii) a second body including semiconductor material laterally extending from the second source and drain regions, (iii) a second sub-fin below the second body, and (iv) a second gate structure on the second body. A second dielectric material is laterally between the first and second sub-fins. A third dielectric material is laterally between the first and second sub-fins, and above the second dielectric material. A gate cut including first dielectric material is laterally between the first and second gate structures, and above the third dielectric material.

Abstract: A communication system may include a first radio frequency (RF) device configured to generate a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisement responsive to an input event, transmit the BLE advertisement in a BLE advertisement burst comprising a number of transmissions in at least one BLE advertising channel, and discontinue transmission of the BLE advertisement after transmission of the BLE advertisement burst. The system may further include a second RF device configured to scan for the BLE advertisement in the at least one BLE advertising channel, and communicate with the first RF device over a BLE data channel responsive to receiving the BLE advertisement.

Abstract: A communication system may include a first radio frequency (RF) device configured to generate a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertisement responsive to an input event, transmit the BLE advertisement in a BLE advertisement burst comprising a number of transmissions in at least one BLE advertising channel, and discontinue transmission of the BLE advertisement after transmission of the BLE advertisement burst. The system may further include a second RF device configured to scan for the BLE advertisement in the at least one BLE advertising channel, and communicate with the first RF device over a BLE data channel responsive to receiving the BLE advertisement.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample preparation cartridges including a frame that includes a plurality of wells integrated therewith, where the plurality of wells have a closed bottom and an open top. The frame further includes an opening within the frame having a reaction vessel (RV) or RV cap removably disposed therein, where the plurality of wells and the opening are linearly arranged relative to each other. Also provided are sample preparation cartridges that include a frame, two or more cartridge separation projections on a top side of the frame, and two or more cartridge separation projections on a bottom side of the frame. The cartridge separation projections separate the cartridge and a different cartridge when the cartridge and different cartridge are stacked. Methods of using the sample preparation cartridges, as well as nucleic acid sample preparation units that include the sample preparation cartridges, are also provided.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a communication device. The methods comprise: concealing the communication device and/or at least one cable in a ballistic wearable item (e.g., a ballistic vest) such that the communication device resides in a storage slot for a trauma plate, where the communication device comprises a frame having a cross-sectional profile that matches a cross-sectional profile of the trauma plate by a given amount (e.g., 75-100%); and performing communication operations by a radio module integrated with the frame of the communication device.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a communication device. The methods comprise: concealing the communication device and/or at least one cable in a ballistic wearable item (e.g., a ballistic vest) such that the communication device resides in a storage slot for a trauma plate, where the communication device comprises a frame having a cross-sectional profile that matches a cross-sectional profile of the trauma plate by a given amount (e.g., 75-100%); and performing communication operations by a radio module integrated with the frame of the communication device.

Abstract: An automatic battery fluid level monitoring system is provided. The automatic monitoring system includes a fluid consumption algorithm, programmed into a microprocessor based motor controller, connected through a communications link to a microprocessor based battery charger. The battery charger is electrically connected to a flooded type battery as well as a power connection such as being plugged into an outlet, the electrical connection from an alternator, or the like. Once the fluid consumption algorithm indicates that the fluid level is too low, a battery fluid indicator is activated utilizing a visual and/or audio display. After the battery is refilled, a fluid added reset is triggered, which deactivates the battery fluid indicator.

Abstract: An automatic battery fluid level monitoring system is provided. The automatic monitoring system includes a fluid consumption algorithm, programmed into a microprocessor based motor controller, connected through a communications link to a microprocessor based battery charger. The battery charger is electrically connected to a flooded type battery as well as a power connection such as being plugged into an outlet, the electrical connection from an alternator, or the like. Once the fluid consumption algorithm indicates that the fluid level is too low, a battery fluid indicator is activated utilizing a visual and/or audio display. After the battery is refilled, a fluid added reset is triggered, which deactivates the battery fluid indicator.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample analysis methods and systems. According to certain embodiments, provided are methods of analyzing samples in an automated sample analysis system. The methods include introducing samples and sample preparation cartridges into the system, isolating and purifying an analyte (e.g., nucleic acids and/or proteins) present in the samples at a sample preparation station, and performing analyte detection assays in assay mixtures that include the purified analyte. Also provided are automated sample analysis systems that find use, e.g., in performing the methods of the present disclosure. In certain aspects, the methods and systems provide for continuous operator access during replenishment or removal of one or any combination of samples, bulk fluids, reagents, commodities, waste, and/or the like.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include sample preparation cartridges including a frame that includes a plurality of wells integrated therewith, where the plurality of wells have a closed bottom and an open top. The frame further includes an opening within the frame having a reaction vessel (RV) or RV cap removably disposed therein, where the plurality of wells and the opening are linearly arranged relative to each other. Also provided are sample preparation cartridges that include a frame, two or more cartridge separation projections on a top side of the frame, and two or more cartridge separation projections on a bottom side of the frame. The cartridge separation projections separate the cartridge and a different cartridge when the cartridge and different cartridge are stacked. Methods of using the sample preparation cartridges, as well as nucleic acid sample preparation units that include the sample preparation cartridges, are also provided.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine turbine blade shrouded tip has an airfoil tip with a cross-sectional airfoil shape, a blade tip shroud attached to the tip, and a shroud cooling circuit disposed within the blade tip shroud. The shroud cooling circuit is operable for cooling substantially all of the shroud and is in fluid communication with a hollow interior of the tip. One embodiment of the invention includes two circumferentially extending forward and aft seal teeth on a radially outer shroud surface of the shroud extending in a radial direction away from the hollow interior of the tip. The shroud cooling circuit includes circumferentially extending shroud cooling passages between clockwise and counter-clockwise shroud side edges of the shroud. Forward and aft pluralities of the shroud cooling passages within the tip shroud are in fluid communication with first and second cavities respectively in the hollow interior.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for applying a finishing block to a lens. An imaging screen for imaging an alignment pattern representing characteristics of the lens and reference data on the lens is provided. The lens is positioned in the apparatus with the pattern and the data aligned. With the lens in this position, the apparatus automatically attaches the finishing block to the lens in registration with the reference data.

Abstract: A fan assembly includes a plurality of discrete platforms disposed between adjacent rotor blades extending radially outwardly from a rotor disk. Each platform includes forward and aft axially spaced apart ends, and radially upper and lower spaced apart surfaces extending between the ends. Forward and aft retainer rings capture the platform to the disk with a predetermined clearance therebetween for allowing the platform to move radially upwardly under centrifugal force for retention by the retainer rings, while also allowing the platform to move radially inwardly under a radially inwardly directed impact load on the platform, which impact load is channeled through the platform lower surface at both the forward and aft ends into the rotor disk.